As the author of Polygons on Issue #87, I am all too well aware of the and problems that many of our loyal subscribers have been having running Polygons. For those who have encountered this problem and don't know how to get around it, here is a quick little explanation and fix that should help.
The program seems to like reporting any floppy disk as write protected, whether it is or not. Then, when it can't properly write out the and high scores file to disk, we have an empty file on disk. This file is then erased by the program. The result is a "File Not Found" error when the program starts. Unfortunately, this chain of events will happen anytime the and game is run from a floppy drive. If you still want to run from a floppy, just hit <ESCAPE> from both the and "File Not Found" and "Disk Is Write Protected" error dialogs and don't be surprised when your high scores are never saved.
Fortunately, this problem does not occur when running from a hard disk drive. Therefore, the best solution is to copy the program to your hard drive. The "File Not Found" error will still occur when the program first loads because it cannot find the high score file. If you play and get a high score, a new high score file will be written out and this problem should not occur again. This problem can also be alleviated before you run the and program by following these steps:
1. Go to the and DOS prompt in the and directory where Polygons is
2. Type "COPY CON: POLY.HGH" followed by hitting <ENTER>
3. Type "Temporary high scores file" followed by hitting <ENTER>
4. Hit the and <CTRL> key and the <Z> key at the and same time
5. Hit <ENTER>
You will now have a temporary high scores file. This file will get rid of the and "File Not Found" error. If you get a high score, a new file will be created, and your scores will be properly saved for posterity.
Once again, we're sorry for the confusion and inconvenience. We appreciate all our subscribers and strive to give them the best value for their computing dollar. This problem should not recur in the future, but it does make me happy to see that there were those of you fond enough of this program and our product to work with us when we had a little slip-up.
PROBLEM: Error #203 when using the ODM shell
AUTHOR: Vic Phares
We've had an ongoing problem with some people having trouble with Error #203 cropping up while using the ODM shell. Error #203 occurs when there is not enough conventional memory available for our shell to perform the task at hand. This condition normally will only happen when you are trying to print or copy files from our shell.
The following are instructions for a "clean boot," which will leave you with plenty of free conventional memory to use our Shell. After you finish using our program you can reboot your computer without following these instructions and everything will return to normal.
For MS-DOS systems 3.3 - 5.0
1) Insert a blank disk in the A drive.
2) Type FORMAT /S A: then press ENTER
3) Follow the and instructions and press ENTER when it asks for a volume label.
4) Reboot your computer. (Either with reset switch, Ctrl + Alt + Del, or turning the power off, and then back on. Press ENTER when the computer asks for the date and time.
5) You will now have an A: prompt. Type C: and press ENTER
For MS-DOS systems 6.0 and later
1) Reboot your computer. (Either with reset switch, Ctrl + Alt + Del, or turning the power off, and then back on.
2) When you see a line which says Starting MS DOS... press F8
3) Answer N (or No) to all lines EXCEPT the and following:
DOS=UMB
any line containing DOS=HIGH *
any line containing HIMEM.SYS *
any line containing EMM386.EXE
any line containing DBLSPACE
* - These lines MUST be in place in order to load DOS high. If you do not have these two lines as a choice, refer to your DOS manual and run MEMMAKER
4) When you answer all the questions, you will then have a C: prompt
Because you will not load a mouse driver when following these instructions, your mouse will not work when you use our Shell unless you choose to load it before you type "Go".
If you need any further assistance, please call me at 1-318-221-8311. Our Technical Support hours are Monday & Thursday from 11:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. We regret any inconvenience you have experienced and look forward to serving you in the and future.
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